Well, that was a nice surprise. Jonah didn’t argue, accepting that right now he needed the help. He was too emotionally raw to deal with his clothes or the reminder that he’d been thrown out. They hadn’t even had the courtesy to put them in trash bags, and he was sure a good amount of what he owned was missing. His laptop, which wasn't that great to begin with, was probably in pieces by now and any keepsakes were likely gone. He chose not to think about that, setting the shower as hot as he could tolerate before stripping off the rest of his clothes. He felt cold without Emmett around, and he hoped the heat would help with that even a little. He didn’t want to get all clingy on Emmett and chase the werewolf away. He felt a little like a lifeline right now, and Jonah would need to do everything in his power to not give him a reason to toss him aside too.
Drawing in a shaky breath, he let it out slowly, stepping into the shower and letting the water pound on his stiff muscles. He could do this. He could get through the day at least. Once the work day was over, he’d figure out what came next.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Emmett wasn’t willing to let Jonah go into work hungry, so before they left, he ushered them both into The Lodge for something quick. Normally if he was hungry and unwilling to cook, he’d go to his parents’ house, but he didn’t want to introduce Jonah to them yet. Not after what happened with his own parents. He didn’t even know the full details but whatever happened was obviously devastating and bringing Jonah around his family felt cruel.
The lodge was less crowded this early, most people in their homes as they got ready for the day, but there were few hanging out, and, just like he’d hoped, Ronan was in the kitchen cooking while Harlem sat on the counter beside him, kicking his legs and accepting bites from his mate with a smile on his face. Ronan didn’t always cook for the pack, but he tended to treat them all when someone in the pack needed special care and attention. Since he knew Jonah arrived upset enough to need the pups to help him, Emmett assumed he’d make breakfast. He was right.
“Good morning!” Emmett greeted them cheerfully, steering Jonah onto one of the stools at the island. He’d seen little peeks of Jonah throughout the morning, but he’d also smelled thewaves of grief. No one was going to judge him for being a little quiet when he smelled like that.
Ronan turned to glance over his shoulder, taking in Jonah’s uncomfortable expression. He dipped his chin in greeting, giving a significant look to Harlem to take the lead. The move didn’t surprise Emmett in the slightest. Ronan could be a little intimidating sometimes. Meanwhile Harlem was adorable and he knew it, and he was a chatterbox to boot. He was better with people than Ronan was.
Hopping down from his perch, Harlem leaned across the island, offering Jonah his hand. “You must be Jonah. I’m Harlem, Ronan’s mate. It’s nice to meet you. The pack has told me a lot about you.”
Jonah shook his hand politely, a confused frown on his face. “They… did?”
“Yep. Not just Emmett either. The pack who’s been working at Spellbound really likes you. I had to talk a few of them out of kidnapping attempts. I think someone mentioned adoption.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully, then shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. They think you’re adorable, and they want to keep you.”
For some inexplicable reason, Jonah shot Emmett a dirty look.
“What’d I do?” he pouted.
Jonah immediately covered his eyes. “Nope. No using that face. I know the kidnapping idea was your thing. I’ve heard you and Taron arguing over who got to kidnap me first.”
Emmett gave him his most innocent smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He totally did. It was absolutely him who brought up the kidnapping idea. He thought of it after the last family dinner Jonah had been forced to go to when he showed up smelling like unhappiness and exhaustion. He wasn’t the only one who agreed with the plan, most of the pack who’d met Jonah were onboard, but he didn’t think mentioning that right now was a good idea. He didn’t want Jonah to think bringing him to the pack last night was for any reason other than helping him.
Ronan pointed a wooden spoon at Emmett. “Don’t listen to him. That innocent act is a farce.”
Emmett gasped, mock outraged. “Alpha! I can’t believe you!”
A light chuckle from Jonah made Emmett’s tail wag, though he was quick to sit on a stool to hide it. He didn’t always sit on his tail, it got uncomfortable, but it felt necessary around Jonah. The stupid appendage wouldn’t stay still when around the adorable human.
Ronan rolled his eyes at Emmett’s antics, turning to slide a plate of food across the island in front of Jonah. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have let them keep you hostage. I probably couldn’t have stopped them from dragging you here, this bunch is a handful, but I would’ve made them bring you back. Eventually.”
Jonah’s head jerked up, and he gaped at Ronan, a smile ghosting across his face when Ronan winked at him. Ronan snagged Harlem around the waist, plopping him back on the counter where he’d been perched before, and handed him his own plate with an affectionate lick on his cheek. Harlem hummed a happy noise, doing a happy little wriggle as he scooped a forkful into his mouth.
Emmett felt his mouth fill with saliva as he took in the scents coming from their plates. Buttery scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, and toast. He couldn’t stop the whine, and Ronan snorted from his spot in front of the stove. He turned, raising an eyebrow at him. “Did you really think I’d leave you out? Come get your own plate.”
Beaming at his alpha, he slid out of his seat and hurried around the counter. Ronan was a busy man, and his cooking was a treat whenever he was in the mood to feed the pack. Now that he was paying attention, Emmett saw that his alpha had madeplenty and the scents would definitely draw in the pack in a minute or two. He made a heaping plate for himself before the rest arrived, humming a happy sound as he rounded the island again to sit next to Jonah.
“Are they normally that cute, or is it a food thing?” Jonah commented.
“A little of both, actually,” Harlem replied. “They’re cute in general, but when it comes to food, they all turn into big happy puppies. Piece of advice—if you want leftovers, make enough to feed an army.”
Emmett nodded around a bite of food. Harlem had a point. Werewolves ate a lot in general, but if the food was good, they’d put themselves into a food coma to enjoy it.
One by one, members of the pack came in, their noses leading them straight to the stove. Ronan stepped aside to let them make plates, taking bites from Harlem’s plate when he offered it. The little kitsune didn’t eat nearly as much as werewolves did, and Emmett was pretty sure Ronan piled his plate high so they could share instead of getting a plate for himself.
“Jonah, I don’t want to pry, but I need to know what led to you coming to the pack last night. Are you in some kind of danger?”
The scent of pain and sadness hit Emmett like a pile of bricks, and he saw Jonah put his fork down, his shoulders hunched by his ears. He could tell Jonah didn’t want to talk about it, but Ronan needed to know. Emmett could make a guess based on what he knew of Jonah’s family from the stories he’d told, but he didn’t know the full story either.
It bothered him just to sit there and not help in some way, so he got up and dragged his stool closer until they were pressed together from shoulder to hip. He projected comfortand support without pushing, hoping with him close by, Jonah would be able to get the words out. It seemed to help a little.
“I… I’m not in any danger. They won’t come looking for me.”
